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Every two years, researchers, resource managers, and others whose work is dedicated to the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) gather for the conference known as GulfCon. GulfCon 2026, to be held at the Mobile Convention Center from May 4-7, will bring together people from across state and federal government, academia, non-profit, and private sectors to discuss current research and to help plan for the future of the Gulf. The conference is designed to share the latest research findings and facilitate interdisciplinary dialogue about research implications, applications, and synthesis. GulfCon is hosted by the Gulf of America Alliance with support from NOAA RESTORE Science Program, National Academies Gulf Research Program, the Harte Research Institute, and many others.
The conference gathers together those who care about the Gulf from local towns and cities all the way to our nation’s capital. Capturing this dynamic, the opening plenary is headlined by Mayor Spiro Cheriogotis of the City of Mobile, the Governor of Alabama Kay Ivey, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere Laura Grimm. Conference attendees will also gather to reflect on the future of the Gulf with a panel of early career professionals from public, private, academia, and non-governmental organizations, who will be shaping the future of this body of water for decades to come.
Conference organizers will open up the venue to Gulf organizations to convene workshops and provide opportunities for collaboration to the conference attendees as they arrive. From discussions on science collaboration and marine debris to dives into watershed-scale collaboration and connections with species population trends, there is something for everyone. On Wednesday evening a Tools Cafe will feature interactive habitat, species distribution maps, and coastal change and inundation viewers.
The latest advancements in Gulf ecosystem science alongside the accomplishments of those responsible for managing and restoring the ecosystem’s resources will be showcased at GulfCon. NOAA RESTORE will be organizing conference sessions focusing on applying scientific synthesis to inform restoration, advancing ocean observations and remote sensing to support decision making, and leveraging emerging technologies for resource management.
To learn more about the Gulf ecosystem and find new partners for Gulf work, register to attend GulfCon 2026 and come to Mobile, Alabama, May 4-7, 2026.
Connect with us at noaarestorescience@noaa.gov if you are attending and would like to schedule a time to meet with the NOAA RESTORE Science Program team.
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